Comments on: LP Appliances- pilot type water heaters

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:54:03 +0000

I have a 92 Kountry Aire 5th Wheel with a Suburban Hot water heater, The pilot will light and stay lit, up until the thermostat kicks the gas on then the pilot will instantly go out. ( you can lite the burner manualy and when the water heats up the pilot will stay lit up until the water heater tries to turn back on then same old thing, pilot goes out and you have to lite manualy) I already replaced the Thermo couplour the pilot the orifice, and replaced the gas valve twice, to no avail same thing happens would appreciate any ideas, Thanks..

By: Karl Lounge

Karl Lounge — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:08:59 +0000

I have a Suburban SW10DE water Heater. I have some technical knowledge and found that one of the two gas valve coils are bad. I’d rather replace the coils instead of the entire gas valve assembly ($90), but have been unable to find the coils or any of the specs/mfg online. I think it may may a White-Rodgers but got nowhere there. Any info that might help me find the replacements would be greatly appreciated.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:25:28 +0000

I appreciated the article.

I have a 1971 Terry Trailer. From looking at the pictures I assume that my water heater is an Atwood. The flame and pilot light, but it gives just a small steady flame. In other water heaters I am use to, a large roaring flame would burn until it was up to temperature and then turn off. I think that there is something wrong with it, and have cleaned out everything that I can see might have cob webs or dirt in it. Is the steady flame normal, or should I have a roaring flame that shuts off as it gets up to temp?

I was thinking of trying to replace the gas valve, but if I do not need to then I really don’t want to go to the expense.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:52:32 +0000

I have an Atwood hot water heater in a pop-up camper. It worked fine until recently. The pilot lights easily but when I try to switch it to “on” it will not ignite and the pilot goes out. Any ideas?

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:24:40 +0000

Hi Richard, You might look at my post LP Appliance Flame Safety Devices, which gives a method of testing thermocouples. I will say that this particular gas valve has been a bit failure prone, to the point that Atwood no longer sells it, they have gone to another vendor. --Chris

By: Richard Lucas

Richard Lucas — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:44:28 +0000

I have an Atwood valve like the one in your article. The pilot will not stay lit. I have held the spring loaded dial on pilot for several minutes, but as soon as I let go, the flame diminishes and then goes out. Any suggestions on troubleshooting this? Also, is there a way to check the thermocouple?

Thanks,

Richard Lucas
Sebastian, FL

By: dave seewald

dave seewald — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:00:22 +0000

chis i have a 2007 brookside travel trailer the hot water tank will work fine on gas but on electric it wont get hot just warm do you know what i should check i would love to find out whats wrong thanks

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:37:49 +0000

Hi Sandra,
Because you said you turned on the switch, it sounds like you have an electronically controlled (aka DSI) model. These are typically factory set at 140° , which can seem very hot.
That said, if the water is getting hotter than that, most likely the thermostat is bad. Thermostats for DSI models are fairly inexpensive- under $20, and easily replaced.

–Chris

By: sandra

sandra — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:05:07 +0000

Hi We recently bought an ‘89 coachmen catalina—great shape! last night I turned on the water heater switch to clean and it would not shut off —-got REALLY hot.
HELP?

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:40:35 +0000

Hi Bill,
That model is not adjustable, but… there are replacement thermostats available at different temperatures- IIRC, the stock is 140°, and both 120° and 130° are available. I believe you need the serial number to get the correct one.

–Chris